Get on an Icelandic horse and discover Iceland

Iceland seduces with its nature, especially its volcanic structures. Geysers, mud pools, snow-covered volcanoes and large glaciers are some of the scenarios you will find.

Horse riding on this Viking island is a unique experience that every lover of equestrian routes should try at least once in their life.

In this article we are going to tell you about the importance of the Icelandic horse and some of the most recommended routes for getting to know the island.

The Icelandic horse, a small but robust horse

When you travel through Iceland you immediately notice that horses are everywhere.

It is believed that this breed originated from Scandinavian ponies between the 9th and 10th centuries, although there is also a theory that they are descended from Mughal horses.

Although it is not a large horse - it measures around 135 centimeters on average - it is very strong. It can carry a man and has adapted very well to Iceland's weather conditions, with a thick layer of fat to protect it.

They are currently the only horses allowed in Iceland.

The Icelandic authorities do not allow other breeds to enter the country, nor do they allow those that have left to return, thus preventing the transmission of any disease.

And not only that; it is not allowed to bring used riding equipment to Iceland due to the high risk of infecting the horses. If you want to bring your own equipment (boots, gloves, chaps, etc.), it must be disinfected beforehand and you must show the certificate that proves it has been disinfected.

But what is so special about this breed of horse? The Skeid or Flugskeið, is a very fast movement where the horse moves both legs on one side at the same time.

This characteristic, together with their strength and serenity, makes them ideal for touring the island.

Ampascachi presents 3 equestrian providers that operate horse riding routes in Iceland: Hesta Sport, Viking Horses and Riding Iceland.

Hesta Sport

If you are looking for an equestrian experience in Icelandic lands or a picturesque and well-equipped place to stay, you will find it at Hesta Sport.

Located in the Skagafjörður region, in the northwest of the country. It is an incredibly wild area, with many more landscapes than inhabitants.

You will stay in beautiful cabins where you can enjoy magnificent views of the vast plains and mountains of the Skagafjörður valley.

They offer a wide variety of horse riding routes suitable for riders of all levels. And if your companion does not wish to ride, they will organize a series of activities for them to get to know and enjoy the island.

Their equestrian programs

There are options to suit all tastes, from short one-hour or one-day trips to long week-long trips that will take you to the Highlands of Iceland.

In total they have 9 short trips, the most popular being the “Viking Ride”. They all start at the equestrian center. They also offer riding lessons.

On the multi-day horse riding routes you will be accompanied by a herd of horses. More than once you will walk alongside your horse, because some terrain is so steep that there is no choice but to climb together.

They have 6 horse riding routes lasting between 3 and 7 days, suitable for mostly intermediate level riders. For some routes, due to their physical demands, you need an advanced level of riding and to be in very good physical shape.

Their experienced local guides will take you through breathtaking nature that cannot be accessed other than on horseback or on foot.

“Home at Hestasport” program

If you want to relax surrounded by the beautiful nature of the place and ride along trails on horseback adjusted to your skills and experience, while discovering the diversity of the Skagafjörður fjord, this program is ideal.

They combine horse riding with numerous activities, such as rafting, boating, bird watching, sea fishing or museum visits.

*General information:

Suitable for riders of all levels of experience.
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights - 4 days on horseback.
5 to 15 km of riding per day.
From May to mid-October.
Minimum age 8 years and from 2 people.

Itinerary:

On the first day you will meet the Hestasport team in Varmahlíð, Skagafjörður. They will transfer you to one of their private cabins, where you will be staying for the duration of your stay.

In the afternoon you will meet your adventure companions for the next few days, the horses. Your guide will show you how to saddle them and you will go on your first horse ride, lasting 1 hour, where you will get your first impressions of the Icelandic horse and the way it moves.

Your guide will then be able to assess your riding ability and adjust the route for the next few days to your level of riding.

On the second day, you will go on a 3-hour horse ride. The rest of the day you will do some of the proposed activities.

The next 2 days of riding are planned as full-day horseback excursions with several stretches of walking with the horse by the hand. If you don't feel comfortable leading a horse by the hand, they will help you.

During the itinerary the guides will find quiet places to enjoy the breaks and it will be time to have lunch together with the horses.

For more information about their horse riding routes, visit their website: https://riding.is/

Viking Horses

Viking Horses is a family business that offers horse riding adventures in Iceland. They are located near the Rauðhólar lava field, in the Heiðmörk Nature Reserve.

They really enjoy what they do, they love traveling on horseback and they immediately transmit that cheerful and fun spirit to the riders who visit them.

Their favorite phrase is: “Small groups - Big Adventures”.

They consider it the only way to give each rider a more personalized experience and that way they can quickly attend to any request.

By starting each day of the route, the groups spend less time waiting for a large group and more time enjoying the Icelandic horse and the unspoiled nature of Iceland. In their opinion, an optimal group size is between 2-10 riders.

Their Icelandic horses

Their horses mean everything to them, and are the center of their attention. They really feel very proud of their skilled four-legged team.

These horses are very well trained and cared for, and are in excellent physical condition. They are easy to ride and have a good “Tölt” so that you can fully enjoy the Icelandic way of riding.

Horse riding routes

They offer 3 equestrian programs, morning, afternoon and night, which you can combine during your stay in Iceland. They will find you a hotel and take care of all the logistics.

Another option is the combination tours, where on the same trip you will ride a horse and do another activity, such as flying over Iceland or bathing in thermal waters.

They also organize private horse riding routes for individuals, in closed groups. These are tailor-made horse riding adventures where everything is based on your personal interests.

Important information:

The minimum age is 8 years old. Children between 8 and 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
The weight limit is 110 kg.
You must be in good physical shape to ride.
They will provide you with high-quality riding equipment.
They offer rain gear, taking into account Iceland's unfavorable climate.

These are their 3 equestrian programs:

Volcano Tour: Suitable for all levels, it is a relaxing and fun morning horseback ride through the Hólmsheði hills and its surroundings, where you will enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, the city of Reykjavík and volcanic formations.
Mjölnir Lava Tour: This is an afternoon tour, riding through small forests in the Hólmsheiði hills and the strange lava formations of Rauðhólar, which are groups of 5200-year-old pseudo craters.
Sleipnir Tour: You will ride with the afternoon sun and into the night through beautiful green nature: the hills of Hólmsheiði, the valley of the Icelandic stallion and the magnificent red lava formations of Rauðhólar.

Finally, they have a Riding Club where they offer rides of 1 to 1.5 hours or private lessons of 45 minutes. You will practice your riding skills and how to ride Icelandic horses.

Find more information by visiting their website: https://vikinghorses.is/

Riding Iceland

This family business has been offering horse riding tours in North Iceland for over 20 years. They are based in the coastal area of Húsavík.

Riding Iceland's base of operations is at Saltvík farm. There the horses live in the open air in a large herd during the winter and most of their northern routes start and end at the farm.

Important aspects to bear in mind:

The number of participants varies between 10 and 18 riders.
Normally there are 2 or 3 horses for each rider.
A reasonable level of fitness is required on all trips, especially on our longer trips in the highlands, where daily rides can last up to 7 or 8 hours.
The minimum riding ability required is a mastery of basic aids and the ability to control the horse at all paces and in open country.
Children aged 10 and over are welcome, but they must be as competent riders as described above.
Normally, you ride for between 4 and 6 hours a day, but it can be longer.
There are short breaks every 1 or 2 hours to stretch your muscles and allow the horses to rest a little.

Day trips

Apart from their equestrian routes, they offer day trips from Saltvík farm for riders of all levels. They last between 1 and 5 hours and follow the coastal paths of Skjálfandi Bay, with beautiful views of the ocean.

Sus Itinerarios Ecuestres

They offer several itineraries through North Iceland, lasting between 4 and 7 days, apart from their “Dream Tour” program.

Their “Northern Exposure” program has been one of their most popular equestrian routes since 1994. It is now known by a new name, The Diamond Circle. During your 5-day horseback ride you will discover the most beautiful faces of northern Iceland.

In addition to the routes through North Iceland, they offer 6 programs through the south and west of the country, all of them carried out by the equestrian provider Íshestar, with whom they have a joint collaboration.

Dream Tour

As its name suggests, this program aims for the rider to fulfill a dream, to travel through Iceland on horseback enjoying all its splendor.

Updated in 2022, this 35-day tour (27 days of riding) combines 4 different trails:

Sprengisandur: you will follow the old trail along the highland route of Sprengisandur to the oasis of Laugafell in the center of the Icelandic highlands with the great glaciers Vatnajökull and Hofsjökull. (7 days)
Western glaciers of Arnarvatnsheiði: you will ride towards the valleys of Skagafjörður, returning to the western highlands of Kjölur and Arnarvatnsheiði along the Langjökull and Eiríksjökull glaciers towards the west coast, to the Snæfellsjökull glacier. (9 days)
Western Beaches and Valleys: You will enjoy the incredible beaches of Löngufjörur and ride through the western valleys to Hrútafjörður in the north. (6 days)
Northwest Lakes and Rivers: You will cross Hóp and Hñúnavatn lakes, traveling along the gentle banks of Vatnsdalsá and Miðfjarðará. (5 days)